(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Bill said, “ I have been told Nelson Creek has 6 to 8 inches thick. Neal, my helper, went out and dug some holes in the bay by the marina and the ice was not 4 inches yet.  Just not consistent or enough yet. Just have to wait and see for the weekend. No fishing happening right now. (Tuesday). The Marina is closed now.  The cabins and campground will be open for a while.  We will have some fuel and ice if I am here, “Bill said.
 
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
  Tongue has had a fair number of people fishing.  Ice varies at spots from 4 to 12 inches.  Some people are catching pike.
 
Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“ We had lots of fishermen this weekend.  I saw a 40 inch nrthern pike thatt were caught.  The ice is 8 to 12 inches going south.  At the marina ice is 4 to 7 inches in spots.  They are catching a few crappies. You can use 4 wheelers now.  There is plenty of room come out and fish.  I am open. Our hours will be 6 am to 1 pm Friday andSaturday. I will have beer, pop, minnows, tackle and soup,” Wade said.
 
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345  Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
 
  No answer from Marina.  I was told by two contacts that Hell Creek still has no ice as of Tuesday and Wednesday.
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
 
Gene says, “We do not have ice here yet. It has been cold here weather wise  Lake Trout are still being caught. The bite is decent. Walleye fishing is real slow. With Northern pike fishing they are catching small ones  going out as of Tuesday.”
 
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
   There is ice. Lots of snow on the ice.  So weather has slowed people fishing.
 
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
   “ We have a foot of snow. (more falling Tuesday and Wednesday) More ice has formed on the lake. We have 4 inch thick ice. (as of Tuesday),” Glennis said.
 
Deadmans  Tony Stefani
 Fisherman are out on ice this week.  Not alot of ice yet but this weather should change that. the fish are not very deep.  Campers remember it is now a pay site.
 
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
 Staff said,” I have heard the ice is thicker at Deadmans.  At Martinsdale I was told the ice also was thicker.  So fishing is better now.  It has been snowy and cold here so there will be snow on the ice.”
 
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie said, “At Achley the first 25 to 30 yards are good for ice but that is it right now.  It is always best to use jigs, maggots and crawlers.  No muskeye has been caught yet.
On the East Fork the ice is not good.
I heard Crooked Creek has 10 inches of ice. The ice is great.  I saw a photo of a 10 pound walleye.  someone also caught  a 25 pound northern pike.  They are having success with a 2 1/2 to 4 inch minnow.  the bite is good.”
 
Crooked Creek-Grant
  Crooked Creek marina please Call for information on ice conditions. The pier has been pulled. Word has it that the ice is good right now. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
 
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White  696-1281
  No report offered
 
    We are now in winter hours. Serving by appointment only.
 
 
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
  “We have decent ice. The ice is 6 to 7 inches now. Fishermen are catching some nice trout. They have been using dark flies and worms for success. I only know ice conditions at the Silos area going south.  I have not heard ice conditions any where else. (as of Tuesday) Call the store for conditions as the warm weather is changing things quickly. We have maggots,” Sharon said.
 The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
 
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
  “There is 9 to 10 inches at Nelson. They are spearing with good results.  Some are using tip-ups with minnows.  Many are finding the fish at variable depths. You can use 4 heelers but beaware of the conditions.
  North of Pelican island is not good for ice.
  Forchette is unfishable. There is only 2 inches of ice,“Jim says.
 
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
 
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
 McCahen says ,” We are being told Tongue has more ice.  They are doing real well for crappies.  Catching a lot of them. Many are using a Lindy perch talker in no particular color.
  At Crooked Creek guys are using small minnows and tip-ups and catching some average size fish.
   On Cooney we are hearing the ice is better and the they are catching a few rainbows.  Use caution as ice is still iffy.
    We have many fishermen heading out of state to the Tabacco Gardens. they are heading to North Dakota for walleye and sauger.
    On Deadmans guys have caught  a couple of trout and they say to go shallow to catch them.”
 
 
Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
 “At Harrison Reservoir guys are using corn and catching Kokanee salmon.  It has been pretty good for trout.  Ice is 7 to 11 inches deep.
  The Ruby has 11 to 15 inches of ice I was told.
  On the Clark there is more than 18 inches of ice but it varies in different areas.
  The Hylite Resevior also has quite a bit of ice.
  On Canyon Ferry I heard they have ice and are fishing but I have heard nothing more.
   On Crooked Creek at Winnett it is supposed to be froze over as  well.  I do sell worms and I also have maggots for sale, “Rich said.
 
 The shop is open to walk ins.  Call for help by appointment as well.
 
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
  “The Yellowstone has ice. We have a fair amount of snow. So unless you are a die hard fisherman there just is not a place to try fishing around here. I have not been out and I have not talked to anyone who has, “Chris says.
“
 We now are in winter hours in the shop and are open Tuesday to Sat 9 to 2pm. We are closed Sunday and Monday.
 
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Fishing is still good for brown trout right now.  Streamers are working well.  Nymph fishing is good. Use the usual san quan worm or sow bug.
 
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.